Flexible Wood Billed Hat

ABSTRACT

A bill for attachment to a support element (hat) is provided that comprises a flexible wood layer that can be bent and shaped without cracking. Also provided is a hat in combination with the bill of the present invention. The bill, as well as the hat and bill combination, provide the advantage of being attractive, weather resistant, flexible, and have the ability to be bent and shaped.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention involves both the aesthetic appeal of wood grain and the functionality of a baseball hat. As stated in the title of this invention, the design of this hat is constructed with a flexible wood layer. Wearers of baseball hats not only want an attractive looking hat, many wearers like to bend and shape the bill to fit their particular style. This can range from a completely flattened bill, as is popular with teenagers today to a bill bent with a tight curved appearance. Each individual has his or her own unique preference of bill shape to protect the face from the sun or to simply make a fashion statement. This flexible wood bill will allow for the shaping and bending of the bill, while giving the wearer lasting durability of a wood layer, and a nice aesthetic appeal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a bill of a baseball hat or golf/tennis visor, as well as the hat comprising the bill that can be worn and which overcomes the limitations and disadvantages of existing wood billed hats. Specifically, the present invention provides a bill that is flexible, with the ability to shape and bend without cracking; in addition, it is water-resistant, durable, and aesthetically pleasing. Specifically the aforementioned advantages are achieved by providing a bill comprising a flexible wood layer. It is preferred that the bill comprises one layer of engineered paperbacked wood veneer. This single layer of thin wood veneer with the attached adhesive paper is able to flex and bend using a process that involves a breaking down of the wood's natural fibers through a mechanical tenderizing process. This process produces a flexible, bendable paperbacked veneer.

This wood layer is then attached to the bill of the hat with a flexible water-based glue that will not crack on bending.

The single wood layer may comprise of tropical figured woods such as: Hawaiian Koa, Brazilian Koa, Eucalyptus, Camphor, Ebony, Sapele, African Angire, Teak, Lacewood, or domestic species such as Oak, Walnut, Maple, Cherry, Mahogany, or Pine.

In order to provide the bill with water-repellent properties, the wood layer may be treated with a waterproofing agent. This can be a clear coating of water-based polyurethane or similar water-based finishes.

The hat comprising the wood bill may be of several different varieties such as the more common 6 panel baseball cap style with a Velcro adjusting back, or the new and popular stretchable fitted enclosed back style, size fitted enclosed back style, or of the style of golf and tennis visors with the adjustable back.

FIGURE DESCRIPTIONS

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attentions being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is an angled front view of the Flexible Wood Billed Hat, showing the wood bill as flat, prior to bending and shaping. In addition this wood bill is shown as it may appear with an image etched, burned, painted, or silkscreened onto the wood veneer.

FIG. 2 is an angled front view of the Flexible Wood Billed Hat, showing the wood bill after flexing and shaping to a slight curved position. Also displayed is the hat as it may appear when bearing a marking, such as a company symbol.

FIG. 3 is an angled front view of the Flexible Wood Billed Hat, showing the wood bill after flexing and shaping to a moderate degree of curvature.

FIG. 4 is an angled front view of the Flexible Wood Billed Hat, showing the wood bill after flexing and shaping to an extreme degree of curvature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Generally, the present invention provides a bill for attachment to a support element (baseball hat or visor) wherein the bill comprises a flexible wood layer. By the term “flexible” it is meant that the bill is capable of being bent and shaped to a curvature that is pleasing to each individual wearer. The specific angle of curvature can range from being 0 degrees of bend when flat to 110 degrees when shaped.

The wood layer may comprise one layer of engineered flexible paperbacked veneer. This single layer of thin wood veneer with the attached adhesive paper is able to flex and bend using a process that involves a breaking down of the wood's natural fibers through a mechanical tenderizing process. This process produces a flexible, bendable paperbacked wood veneer. An example of a commercially available flexible engineered wood veneer product suitable for use in the present invention is “EquaFlex”, available from Superior Veneer. The thickness of the paperbacked flexible veneer product ranges from 1/16 inch to 1/42 inch; in the veneer industry this veneer thickness commonly is referred to in “miL” units, the present invention may use a paperbacked veneer product ranging from 10-40 miL.

The wood layer may comprise of any type of wood desired that has gone through the paperbacking manufacturing process. For example, woods suitable for use include, but are not limited to, tropical figured woods such as: Hawaiian Koa, Brazilian Koa, Eucalyptus, Camphor, Ebony, Sapele, African Angire, Teak, Lacewood, or domestic species such as Oak, Walnut, Maple, Cherry, Mahogany, or Pine. The wood may be placed on the bill as one solid wood grain pattern or with a seam down the middle of the bill, often referred to as a “bookmatched” appearance. Bookmatched means that the left side of the bill has a mirror image of the grain pattern on the right side of the bill.

The flexible paperbacked veneer layer is attached to the bill of the hat using a flexible water-based glue. An example of a commercially available water-based glue suitable for use in the present invention is Wilson Art H2O water-based contact adhesive, available from Wilson Art.

The wood veneer layer is sanded, then a layer of shellac or sanding sealer is brushed or sprayed on the wood to seal and fill the pores of the wood; in addition to sealing the wood, this highlights tones and colors of the wood. The wood is then sanded again, and a clear layer of water-based polyurethane is applied to seal and protect the wood from water, sun, dirt, or grease. The water-based polyurethane, referred to as “polycrylic” allows for flexibility of the wood bill.

In addition to providing an aesthetically pleasing wood grain appearance, the bill of the present invention provides a durable surface upon which to fix designs. This is illustrated in FIG. 1. The surface of the bill may also have a marking such as a company symbol, insignia, or trademark that is visible on the wood surface. Such a marking may be etched, burned, painted, or silkscreened onto the wood veneer.

The support element (hat or visor) may be constructed in accordance with any known method and of any desirable material. Example materials may consist of but are not limited to: cotton, polyester blends, microfiber, hemp, and organic cotton. The support element can be made in different sizes to fit different sized heads. The support element may also be made adjustable so that it will fit the head of any hat wearer, by utilizing any of the known adjustment means including elastic bands, band sizing adjustment straps, Velcro, or the like.

While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form and detail of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. 

1. A bill for attachment to a support element for at least partially encircling a human head wherein said bill comprises a flexible wood layer.
 2. The bill of claim 1 wherein said flexible wood layer defines an external surface to the said bill that can be bent and shaped to one's preference without cracking.
 3. The bill of claim 2 wherein the said flexible wood layer provides a visible wood grain surface to said bill.
 4. The bill of claim 3 wherein said flexible wood layer has a marking on said visible wood surface in addition to the natural wood grain.
 5. The bill of claim 4 wherein said marking comprises a decal, a brand recessed within the visible wood surface, or a painting on the wood bill.
 6. The bill of claim 3 wherein said flexible wood layer is coated with a layer of a waterproofing agent and said visible wood surface is seen through said waterproofing agent.
 7. The bill of claim 6 wherein the waterproofing agent is a water-based polyurethane.
 8. The bill of claim 1 wherein said bill comprises a single layer of engineered flexible wood veneer with attached paperbacking.
 9. The bill of claim 1 wherein said bill may comprise a bill that has been treated with essential oils to create a scented aromatherapy.
 10. The bill of claim 2 wherein the wood grain appearance is provided by an external layer of real wood veneer exhibiting a wood grain design and which is bonded to said bill.
 11. The combination of claim 1 wherein said flexible wood layer is selected from the group consisting of Hawaiian Koa, Brazilian Koa, Eucalyptus, Camphor, Ebony, Sapele, African Angire, Teak, Lacewood, or domestic species such as Oak, Walnut, Maple, Cherry, Mahogany, or Pine, and combinations thereof.
 12. The combination of claim 1 wherein said flexible wood layer is attached to support element by a flexible water-based glue adhesive. 